College coach rejects recruit due to Colorado’s drug laws

Officials at Texas Wesleyan University are distancing themselves from a rather blunt email sent by its baseball coach to a potential recruit in Colorado, saying they’ll pass on his skills because players in the state “have had trouble passing our drug test,” according to an email posted Wednesday on Twitter.

“We have made a decision to not take a chance on student-athletes from your state,” head baseball coach Mike Jeffcoat wrote Gavin Bell, clearly referencing Colorado’s legalization of recreational marijuana. “You can thank your liberal politicians. Best of luck wherever you decide to play.”

In a statement, university officials said the comments “are in no way a reflection” of Texas Wesleyan, its values or its recruiting methods.

“This is a personnel matter and it is currently under investigation,” the statement continued. “It is our University policy to not discuss personnel matters, but we want to reiterate that this email does not reflect our values and we do not condone discrimination. This includes discrimination on the basis of race, color, origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability or sexuality; or the political legislation of one’s home state. We are committed to providing an inclusive campus for all of our students, faculty, staff, visitors, potential students and their families.”

Calls seeking additional comment from university spokesman John Veilleux and Jeffcoat were